The Tom Cleverley versus Jack Wilshere undercard bout on Saturday proved to be a more absorbing contest than United against Arsenal – even if it didn’t last as long.

The Tom Cleverley versus Jack Wilshere undercard bout on Saturday proved to be a more absorbing contest than United against Arsenal – even if it didn’t last as long.

Two English Lions mixing bite with majesty in the Old Trafford midfield jungle – both ultimately suffered for their over-exuberance as they fought for supremacy.

Having been yellow-carded for a 37th-minute foul on Arsenal’s Santi Cazorla, Cleverley was given further warnings by referee Mike Dean, particularly after felling Wilshere, two minutes before he was substituted.

After an hour Sir Alex Ferguson withdrew the 23-year-old to avoid a possible red card.

Former Bolton loan star Wilshere lasted just eight minutes longer.

The 20-year-old Gunner was booked for a heavy 14th minute challenge on Cleverley but Arsene Wenger didn’t heed Dean’s warnings and Wilshere went over the top on Patrice Evra to pick up his second yellow.

The battle may have ended earlier than expected, but it is a competition that many believe the former Under-21 team-mates will be waging for England coach Roy Hodgson’s affections.

Wilshere was first into the senior set-up in August 2010 for Fabio Capello.

An ankle problem put his career on hold for 14 months and he only returned to Arsenal’s XI in September.

In the meantime, Cleverley has leapfrogged him and has been an ever-present in Hodgson’s post Euro-2012 set up.

Both now have five caps. But those tallies are set to grow, says former United and England midfielder Ray Wilkins.

And rather than Cleverley and Wilshere being rivals for a position in the England side, Wilkins believes the pair can forge a new-look midfield for the national team together.

“I think Tom and Jack can be the mainstay of the England side for many years to come,” Wilkins told M.E.N. Sport. “I think eventually England will evolve into a team with three midfielders and then someone can play the holding role and Tom and Jack will be the slightly wider midfielders.

“Too many of England’s regulars are only subs for their clubs these days and I think it is great that we have two young midfielders who are establishing themselves at two very high-profile, prominent clubs.

“I think that is very important for England. These two are standing up to the pressures of playing front of 75,000 or 60,000 people each week. They are not freezing on the biggest of stages.

“Both have great characters and personality on the pitch. They have those commodities and confidence in abundance. From Tom’s point of view, Sir Alex Ferguson has handled his progress perfectly.

“Sending him out for a season to Wigan in the Premier League helped him. Fergie puts his young players at clubs where they play the United way and Roberto Martinez does that. He learnt there over a long period that you are playing for your own and others livelihoods.

“Tom responded to that and, though he had a tough time with injuries last season, he looks like he’s going to be a key figure for United.

“He is always demanding the ball and if he gives it away he is not afraid to demand it back again. He’s got good control and plays the ball well and early. That’s what I like about him.

“He is so confident when he is in possession. But it doesn’t surprise me because Sir Alex doesn’t play shrinking violets for Manchester United.

“I think he is going to be a central figure for the Reds for a long, long time.”

“It was sad for Jack that he was out for so long at such a young age. It is very difficult to deal with,” added Wilkins.

“But he’s come through it. Unfortunately, I think his sending-off against United was a by-product of that.

“He’s still a bit ring rusty and he was frustrated. It got the better of him.

“But, like Tom, he is a tremendous character. I have always liked him and his future is excellent.” Former Chelsea assistant manager Wilkins, however, reckons both Cleverley and Wilshere should do their homework and study one of his former Stamford Bridge charges.

“Both players will need to add goals to their game. It is imperative in the modern game,” added Wilkins.

“Tom and Jack need to take a lesson from Frank . Frank is an excellent goalscorer from midfield. He finishes like a forward because he has the same calmness and assurance.

“They need to realise sometimes that they have more time than they think and not rush chances. If they study Frank they will learn.

“But I have no doubt that both of them will add goalscoring to their game and what a package they will be then.”

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